My Moon is in ascendent and is technically the atmakaraka because it has most degrees but it is also in amavasya dosha. The second highest degreed planet is Guru in 8th house. Is moon still atmakaraka even though it is in amavasya? If not, does Guru, then become Atmakraka in it's place?

Hi,

Since moon is at the highest degree, becomes the atmakaraka.
Being an amavasya moon does not affect its atmakaraka state.

RishiRahul

Yes, I have noted too that people often mix the two things (attributes) in jyotish. The three types of karakas are roles. The strengths and guna (I treat pakshabala and uchhabala, for example, as indicators of guna (quality) although they are also taken into account for calculating shadbala (quantitative strength). Perhaps they have both types of attributes, just as avasthas and panchadha in contrast perhaps to dikbala and drigbala or dinmana, masabda etc.

The only instance perhaps of karakatwa-transfer could be applicable to rahu-ketu when they are acting as surrogates and not as rulers (vrischika or kumbha).

Love, Light, Learning,